Guyanese-New Yorkers brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of children in their homeland, by sharing gifts, treats, and providing music to brighten the spirits of the little ones during festive season.
Brooklyn residents Brian and Pauline Clarke told Caribbean Life that they will are overjoyed that they will be celebrating their 40th Christmas party in their lodge village yard in 2019, during their Dec. 23 lavish party that attracted more than 200 children.
Babies, dressed in their Sunday best, and being held by parents, were observed moving to the rhythm of Caribbean and Christmas music, during the hours-long party in the couple’s Georgetown backyard.
Musical chairs competition highlighted the merriment that the couple started with 25 children 39 years. The party has now grown to include hundreds of children, many from outside of Lodge Village.
Pauline said because they enjoy bringing brightness and light into the lives of the children, they chose glow toys, as well as educational gadgets that would also help the children become skilled and educated citizens.
Brian Clarke, who referees soccer in Brooklyn, is hopeful that the Guyana government would honor his request to provide a soccer ground in the Lodge Village in order for the children to be trained in the sport, while creating a stable, disciplined life for the youngsters.
Like the Clarkes, Jocelyn Thomas-Wilson and her husband, Morris Wilson, celebrated a significant milestone. They observed 10 years of giving back to their Buxton community recently, with the help of First Lady of Guyana, H.E. Sandra Granger, who distributed dolls, books and other toys to the children who were accompanied by their parents for the annual gift giving.
The Brooklynites were overjoyed to see the turnout of more than 300 children, many who received tickets presented to schools in the historic village of Buxton, ahead of the Christmas gift giving,
In addition to Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, Attorney General, Basil Williams and other officials, joined the charitable Wilsons, to bring cheer to the community’s children, who also receive gifts of kites during the Easter season.
Wilson said in purchasing kites from local artisans to donate, jobs are created in the community. They look forward to promoting educational programs in the village also, for many more years.
Sandra Granger, on behalf of her self and husband, President David Granger, thanked the Wilsons for their contributions to the children, and extended Christmas greetings to all.
The Wilsons, in turn, thanked all elected officials for their continued support of the Buxton community, and looked forward to returning twice yearly to show their love and appreciation for where they were born.
